Description
Nikkalite 92000 Series Crystal Grade retroreflective sheeting 24″ X 50 Yds. Yellow
Type VIII Crystal Grade
Crystal Grade is “Super High Intensity” microprismatic sheeting, meeting the requirements of ASTM D 4956, Type VIII. Crystal Grade has the highest retro-reflectivity characteristics at long and medium road distances. This product is ideal for highway signing, construction zone devices, and delineators. Also introducing, the fluorescent colors orange and yellow green, that have improved visibility in both day and night time conditions, ideal for construction, pedestrian, and school zone sign applications.
Crystal Grade is a retro-reflective sheeting that uses the principle of the retroreflection of micro-prisms. In the case of a prism-type reflection element, the light reflects efficiently without diminishing, as the three reflection planes that constitute the element and are positioned at right angles in relation to each other, completely reflect within the element. As the specialty prisms designed to provide optimum reflection are densely arranged within the sheeting, excellent brightness characteristics and wide-angle reflection can be obtained. The traffic signs and traffic safety devices made of the reflective sheeting provide far better visibility and withstand a longer service period compared with those that utilize glass beads.
BRIGHTNESS AFTER INK PRINTING AND AFFIXING OVERLAY FILMS
When Nikkalite inks or the PA100 series overlay films are applied to the white sheets of CRG 92002, the reflection
performance of the corresponding colors at an observation angle of 0.2 degrees and an entrance angle -4 or 5
degrees can be expected to be greater than 70% of the values shown in Table 2.
5. DIRECTIONAL PROPERTY OF THE SHEETING
The prisms that are the reflective elements of CRG have a slight directional property, the orientation of the prisms
change gradually when the sheets are rotated. This also gradually changes the reflectivity, depending on the
orientation of the sheets. In order to avoid difference in brightness and provide the most effective visibility, the sheets
are provided with arrow marks indicating directional property. Make sure the arrow marks on the base of signs, cutout
letters, border lines, and symbol marks are all horizontal.
6. ADHESIVE
The adhesive coated on CRG 92000 series is pressure sensitive material, the optimum application temperature is
between 18°C to 35°C (64°F to 95°F).
7. PREPARATION OF TEST PIECES AND STANDARD CURING TIME
When testing the sheets by laminating them on aluminum substrates in accordance with the requirement for the test
items, laminate the sheets on aluminum substrates of the specified quality and thickness that are degreased and acidtreated to prevent bubbles and foreign substances from getting in between the sheets and substrates. No matter
sheet test alone or sheet test after laminated on aluminum substrates, cure them under the standard conditions of 23
+/- 1°C (73 +/- 2°F) and 50% +/- 4% R.H. for 24 hours. Conduct the tests under the standard conditions unless
specifically required.
A. ADHESION TEST: Requirement: The sheet shall not be peeled off by more than 50 mm (2″) in 5 minutes.
Apply a 25.4 mm x 152 mm (1″ x 6″) sheet on an aluminum substrate, leaving 50 mm (2″) in the longitudinal
direction, and cure it under the standard conditions. Hold the test piece horizontally, and hang an 800 g (1-3/4Ibs.)
weight at the end of the free sheet for 5 minutes.
B. IMPACT RESISTANCE: Requirement: There shall be no cracking around the mark of impact.
After a test piece applied on a 76 mm x 152 mm (3″ x 6″) aluminum plate has cured, and an impact of 127 cm
0.45 Kg (50 lbs/in), 5.65 N is applied in accordance with ASTM D 2794.
C. SHRINKAGE: Requirement: There shall be no shrinkage in either direction of over 0.8 mm (1/32″) after 10
minutes, and of over 3.2 mm (1/8″) after 24 hours.
Cure a 230 mm x 230 mm (9″ x 9″) sheet with liner, remove the liner and leave the sheet on a table with the
adhesive surface facing up.
D. FLEXIBILITY: Requirement: No cracking, peeling off, or de-lamination.
Cure a 25 mm x 152 mm (1″ x 6″) sheet with liner, remove the liner and spread talcum powder on the adhesive
surface. Roll it on a mandrel with a diameter of 3.2 mm (1/8″) and with the surface of adhesion inside in one
second.
E. GLOSS: Requirement: It shall not be below 50.
This measurement should be made using an 85° gloss meter in accordance with ASTM D523.
CRG 92000 Series Crystal Grade
V2018-01
NIPPON CARBIDE INDUSTRIES (USA) INC.
13856 Bettencourt Street, Cerritos, CA (800) 821-4264
8. PROCESSING METHOD FOR SIGNS
All CRG sheeting application should be at room temperature above 18°C (64°F). It is desirable to process them
below 35°C (95°F), although the upper limit of the temperature varies depending on sites. Also refer to the CRG
Application Manual for details.
9. CUTTING AND TRIMMING
Cut CRG sheets individually from the front side, as they are far harder than the sheeting with glass beads. CRG can
be cut with scissors and paper cutters. However, when hand-cutting or trimming the sheets, use a large retractable
knife, as significant force is required, making a small retractable knife very dangerous to use. Although as many as
100 cut sheets can be piled on a flat worktable, it is recommended that they be piled with the front sides facing each
other. Do not touch the front sides of the sheets to be printed; rather, hold them at the ends.
10. COLOR MATCHING
When applying multiple cut sheets to a sign board, place them with the directional property arrow marks the horizontal
direction, and remember to carry out color matching. Color matching is easy when cut sheets are cut from the same
roll. In addition, take each of the cutout letters, border lines, and symbol marks from the same roll or same cut sheet.
It is recommended that color matching be conducted in daylight from north-facing windows in the northern
hemisphere, from south-facing windows in the southern hemisphere (windows without direct sunlight), and in the color
of reflected light in the dark.
11. PRINTING PROCESS
CRG can be both pre-screened (sheets alone) and post screened (with substrates) using the two-component inks of
the Nikkalite N3600 and N3800 series. These two component inks have good transparency and durability, and
provide high reflectivity even after printing; also, it excels in adhesion, anti-scratch and solvent resistance. For
applications that do not require solvent resistance, both the N3600 and N3800 series can also be used as onecomponent inks without the addition of hardener. Use plainly-woven polyester mono- filament screen with 61-71
mesh/cm (157-180 mesh/inch). Use the off-contact method for printing, and be sure to carry out fill-pass. Do not
apply a large amount of ink to the screen at one time; apply it frequently in small amounts. In this way, ink can be
prevented from clogging and a uniform color concentration can be obtained throughout printing. Nippon Carbide
Industries Co., Inc. (hereinafter “NCI”) is not responsible for any defects partial or whole, in the signs caused by the
use of inks, solvents, auxiliary agents, or the like that are not recommended by NCI.
12. DRYING PROCESS
Immediately place printed sheets with or without substrates in a drying rack, and air-dry using electric fans. At least
an electric-fan stand consisting of three levels each having three electric fans is required to dry the entire rack.
Although tack free drying to the touch can be fully achieved in 20-30 minutes, continue to blow air for a further 2-3
hours before storing. Oven and tunnel driers can also be employed, but driers that circulate or blow hot air of
60°C~80°C (140°F~176°F) should be used. Avoid drying by heating using infrared rays or gas unaccompanied by hot
air. Stack the sheets up to a limit of 50 and vertically place the sheets with substrates in exclusive-use racks, after
confirming that printed sheets are completely dried. It is recommended that each printed sheet be provided with a slip
sheet on the printed side.
CRG 92000 Series Crystal Grade
V2018-01
NIPPON CARBIDE INDUSTRIES (USA) INC.
13856 Bettencourt Street, Cerritos, CA (800) 821-4264
13. SUBSTRATE TREATMENT
CRG is provided with a strong pressure-sensitive adhesive with good durability, and it is recommended that it be
laminated on a flat substrate. Use aluminum plates properly treated with degreasing, sanding, or acid cleaning for
traffic signs that require long-term durability. When laminating on coated steel or plastic substrates, particularly on
new type of substrates, confirm there is no trouble in adhesion, peel-off, swelling, discoloration and reflectivity
degradation of sheeting, before starting mass production. Although the adhesion of any substrate material can be
expected to be improved by wiping with solvents or sanding, confirm it by testing in advance. While CRG cannot be
laminated to rounded surface, consult NCI salespersons when laminating it to curved or new material surface. NCI is
not responsible for defects caused by inappropriate substrates, inappropriate surface treatment, or inappropriate
lamination.
14. APPLICATION PROCESS
CRG can be applied using a hand roller in the case of small signs, cut letters, borderlines, and legends, and can be
applied on substrates through the use of a hand or motor-driven roller applicator. When, applying more than two CRG
sheets on a sign laminate them with the directions indicated by the arrow marks horizontal in the butt joint. The
maximum gaps of the butt joints shall be up to 1.5 mm (1/16″). When applying using a roller applicator, adjust the nip
pressure in accordance with the process technology guidebook. Excessive pressure will degrade the reflection
performance. Draw positioning lines for cutout letters and symbol marks using water-soluble ink, and then wipe it off
using a wet cloth.
15. STORAGE
Store CRG sheets and other Nikkalite products in a room temperature of 15°C~27°C (59°F~81°F) and relative
humidity of 30%~60%, out of direct sunlight, and use them within a year after purchase. Avoid stacking the carton
boxes in an irregular manner, and stack no more than four carton boxes of the same size in the same direction for
storage. Store half-used sheet rolls with the ends of the sheeting tightly fastened to the roll with adhesive tape, either
hung with plastic supporters fixed in the original carton boxes, or similarly hung horizontally with iron rods inserted
through the paper core. Do not leave the sheeting rolls directly on the table or floor for an extended period. Pile no
more than 50 printed sheets of the same size, with a slip sheet for each of them with its smooth side facing the printed
side, and store them in a location free from dust. Store CRG products applied on substrates by standing them on
square timbers or the like, so that the front sides face each other. It is recommended that a soft material such as a
rubber sponge be placed between them to prevent direct contact of the sheets.
16. PACKAGING AND TRANSPORTATION OF SIGN FACES AND FINISHED PRODUCTS
50 CRG sign faces can be packaged in an exclusive use box with slip sheets if the sheets are the same size and the
storage directions are followed. When an exclusive-use box is not available, package them with thin plates or hard
cardboard of the same size at the top and bottom. It is recommended that sign boards be packaged with their front
sides facing each other, with slip sheets or cushioning materials such as foam sheets inserted between them, and
placed in a wooden skeleton case. In either case, packages shall be air-permeable, with no strapping or plastic
sheets that cause air-tightness. Do not apply excessive weight to the products during transportation, and do not wet
the products until they are set up. In the event that the products get wet, immediately open the package and dry the
products.
17. CLEANING OF SIGNS
In order to maintain the reflectivity and visibility of signs while maintaining long-term durability, remove dust from the
signs and tar, oil, and soot from the road, and keep the signs clean. Neutral cleaning solutions are recommended for
the cleaning of signs. Use chemically neutral cleansers that do not contain abrasives, strong solvents, or alcohols.
Rinse them with water after cleaning them using neutral detergent. Refer to CRG’s processing technology guidebook
for details.
CRG 92000 Series Crystal Grade
V2018-01
NIPPON CARBIDE INDUSTRIES (USA) INC.
13856 Bettencourt Street, Cerritos, CA (800) 821-4264
18. RELIABILITY
All recommendations and technical information contained herein are based on experience and tests, which the
manufacturer believes to be reliable; however, their accuracy and completeness are not warranted. The user is
requested to conduct test/tests to determine the fitness of this product for the intended application.
19. SAFETY AND HEALTH INFORMATION
Read carefully in advance the labels, instruction manuals, material safety data sheets (MSDS), and first aid measures
of the retroreflective sheeting supplied by Nippon Carbide Industries Co., Inc. (hereinafter referred to as “NCI”), the
auxiliary materials such as inks and solvents used for NCI’s products, and proprietarily used chemicals such as
substrate cleansers.
20. WARNING
Failure to comply with the explicit instructions in this bulletin will result in voiding all warranties express or implied for
use of this product. If retroreflective sheeting is to be applied to a surface other than conventional sign blank
materials, prospective users should contact technical representatives of Nippon Carbide Industries Co., Inc. for advice
before such application.
21. STANDARD LIMITED WARRANTY
10 year warranty for items 92802, 92804, 92805, 92806, 92808, with 7 years being 100% full replacement and the
final 3 years covering 100% sheeting replacement. 7 year warranty for 92847 with 5 years being full replacement and
the final 2 years covering 100% sheeting replacement.
All reports of an alleged defect in CRG must be reported to NCI within a reasonable time of failure in order for
warranty to be provided.
The foregoing warranty shall not apply when failure arises from a cause or condition other than a defect in CRG,
including, but not limited to: inadequate maintenance, adverse weather or climactic conditions of any type, or improper
substrate treatment, printing or lamination.
THE FOREGOING EXPRESS WARRANTY IS THE SOLE AND EXCLUSIVE WARRANTY FOR CRG. NCI DOES
NOT AUTHORIZE ANY PERSON OR ENTITY TO CREATE ANY OBLIGATION OR LIABILITY WITH RESPECT TO
CRG OTHER THAN THAT STATED IN THE FOREGOING LIMITED WARRANTY. THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF
MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE ARE HEREBY DISCLAIMED. UNDER NO
CIRCUMSTANCES SHALL NCI BE LIABLE TO ANY PERSON OR ENTITY FOR ANY CONSEQUENTIAL,
INCIDENTAL OR INDIRECT DAMAGES ARISING FROM CRG.
92802 White
92804 Yellow
92805 Red
92806 Blue
92808 Green
92844 Fluorescent Yellow Green
92847 Fluorescent Orange
92894 Fluorescent Yellow
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